On the Town: Hospital guild keeps the Razzle Dazzle going

Sixty-five years ago this month, President Truman delivered the first televised White House address, England’s then-Princess Elizabeth was preparing for her wedding to Prince Phillip, and the New York Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers in the first World Series that included an African American baseball player — Jackie Robinson. To really put things into perspective, while Mitt Romney turned 7 months old that month, Barack Obama would not be born for another 14 years.

October of 1947 also saw the then-newly established La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles stage its first Razzle Dazzle Luncheon and Fashion Show fundraiser.

That tradition continued as the guild presented its 65th fall fundraiser at the Sheraton Universal Studios Hotel’s Grand Ballroom this past Sunday. Under the direction of the event’s chairwoman, Veronica Chavoor, and the guild’s president, Nancy Johnson, last week’s luncheon, presented as “That Touch of Style,” saw more than 550 guild members and guests enjoy the day while raising funds for the Sunset Boulevard pediatric care facility.

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Before the main event, emceed by professional dancer Rudy Hernandez and showcasing fashions by Christine Ritchie under the direction of designer Sue Wong, the assemblage perused an eclectic boutique and an extensive array of gift baskets and silent-auction items that had been assembled by Sue Meckley, Lisa Murray and Debbi Lowman.

Among the special guests in attendance assisting the guild in raising funds to advance the neurosciences program were the hospital’s Associates and Affiliates Chairman Bonnie McClure, Director Suzanne Lapis and staff members Jo Ann Richman and Robin Hyland.